Ohio Fil-Am nurse, co-worker, cop shot and killed by ex-boyfriend

KIRKERSVILLE, Ohio — An armed man gunned down a new village police chief on a street and then killed two employees, including a Filipina American nurse, in a nearby nursing home, where he later was found dead, a sheriff said.

Officials identified nurse Marlina Medrano, 46, a Filipina American, and nurse aide Cindy Krantz,48, as the deceased. No nursing home residents were injured.

The slain police chief, Steven Eric DiSario, 36, had headed the Kirkersville Police Department for only about three weeks, Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp said. DiSario was shot on a street near the Pine Kirk Care Center, and the two employees and the gunman were found dead inside, Thorp said.

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Family members identified Thomas Hartless, 43, as the shooter. His cousin, who did not want to go on camera, told NBC4’s Shawn Lanier that Hartless did not live in Kirkersville. His girlfriend worked at the nursing home where the shooting happened. NBC4’s Courtney Yuen confirmed Medrano was Hartless’ girlfriend.

Medrano had obtained civil protection orders against Hartless. He was released from jail in April after his latest domestic violence case in March. He also served time for a 2009 abduction of another woman.

The Columbus Dispatch reported that court officials said Friday that protection order was still in effect. Records show Medrano had reported injuries including a concussion and cuts requiring stitches.

The Dispatch reported that she had earlier told police he once showed her a hole he had dug and said he would put her in it if she didn’t stay with him. She also told police Hartless “doesn’t like police.”

DiSario, 36, was a father of six children, with a seventh on the way, the sheriff said.

Thorp called it a hard day for all. “We’ve lost a police officer. It’s just a tragic event,” he said. “I guess the only peace of mind is that the threat is over.” (Parts of this report were from the Associated Press.)

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